Integra director leaves

PC Retail can confirm that Integra's IT channel director, Derek Jones is to leave the company.

Jones, who joined the buying group as a director when he sold his firm, Computer Office Group Marketing to it in 1998, became an integral part of the firm's success over the past ten years.

Speaking about his departure, Integra's managing director Aidan McDonough said: "It is with regret that we announce the resignation of Derek Jones. Derek has been with Integra since 1998 and has played a key role in the growth and success of the organisation."

Wishing him luck in the future, McDonough added: "Derek has always been totally committed to Integra and its members, and has built up a strong IT portfolio for the group. We wish him every success for the future."

Speaking to PC Retail, Derek Jones said: "Having enjoyed ten fantastic years at Integra it was simply time to take a break and move on. I will now take a couple of months off before returning to the channel in a new role that is still to be finalised.

"My work with the PCA will continue 'business as usual' except I now have more time to commit to supporting chief executive Keith Warburton and financial director John Harris.

"The PCA has enjoyed several years of massive growth and I'm very aware that there have been times when our resources have been substantially over stretched."

Rivals were quick to congratulate Derek Jones on his work at Integra. Iain Shaw, founder of rival buying group Brigantia was among those offering praise: "I am very surprised to hear that Derek has left COG as this was his brain child, which he founded and built into a very successful group within Integra.

"His overall knowledge of the IT channel will be big loss to Integra generally. I am sure that Derek will come bouncing back into the channel once he has worked through any contractual obligations and had a damn good rest."